Advertise on podcast: Print Design Podcast - Inspiration for In-house Creative Teams

In this episode, Dave talks with Chris Gajus, Creative Director at Olberding Brand Family, about the packaging for Alberta Distillers Rare Batch that his team helped bring to life. If you’re a graphic designer or creative director who loves print, packaging, or some sweet sweet embellishments, this episode is for you.  Chris breaks down how they took a very rough starting point and turned it into a full premium packaging system with strong storytelling, structure, and materials. This includes the strategy behind the mountain imagery, the multi-level emboss, using tactile varnish instead of foil, and how they made sure the whiskey glows through the front and back windows on shelf. You’ll also hear about real considerations designers deal with every day: board weight, coatings, cracking on folds, color matching between substrates, working with vendors, and building files with multiple special-finishes layers. It’s a full look at how design moves from a concept to a finished physical product that pulls people in. Chris also shares his early print memories (video game boxes and manuals), his first print project in school, and a project that totally fell apart thanks to unclear feedback and direction. If you’ve ever had a client say “I’ll know it when I see it,” you’ll feel right at home. Things discussed in this episode: Premium packaging design Building dielines and structural packaging workflow Multi-level embossing Tactile varnish vs. foil stamping Color matching across substrates Paperboard weight and packaging durability Creating shelf presence in liquor and beverage categories Integrating brand storytelling into print Working with production, prepress, and color teams Turning a rough concept into a print-ready, high-end package Links: Alberta Distillers Rare Batch case study Project images + visuals Oberding Brand Family website Chris on LinkedIn Print Design Academy - Where designers learn print and packaging design

This week's guest is Diego Marini. He is a Co-Founder, Creative Director, and Designer from Yummy Colours out of New York. Although he is located in Copenhagen.  Diego loves books. To put it lightly. During client meetings, he's been known to ask "Can't we do a book"? And with a drive like that, he has had the opportunity to help bring some absolute gems to life.  In this episode, we dive into the design, creative direction, and behind-the-scenes production of two beautiful coffee table books. One for Sophy Holland, and the other for the Statue of Liberty. Be sure to check the links below to have a peek.  The Yummy Colours team continues to put together amazing print pieces that help bring their client's goals and visions to life. Legends over there.  Another gem of an episode for the designers and print lovers out there. Check out all the links below!! Statue of Liberty Book Images: CLICK HERESophy Holland Book Images: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Website: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Instagram: CLICK HERE Print Design Mastery 7-day FREE trial Get it HERE. Print Design Summit Waitlist: SIGN UP HERE Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE

My guest on this episode is Tony Diaz from Industry Print Shop out of Austin Texas. If you haven't heard of Industry, where have you been!? I call this episode, story time with Tony.  In this episode, we talk about: how Industry started and came to be. how he became "The Merch Guy" some of the important projects that helped Industry grow. Flatstock at SXSW and what it meant for Tony. a workshop at Nike HQ. print projects that went sideways and what happened. projects that Tony is the most proud of. the transition from doing the printing to a business owner leadership role. tough times in the history of Industry. what is really fulfilling for Tony in this stage of his life. and soo soo much more.  Tony is an awesome human and is full of stories that help you to learn from his mistakes, successes, and experiences. You can really feel the genuine joy from him coaching creatives through stories and community.  THE LINKS Industry Print Shop Website: CLICK HERE FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. Print Design Academy on YouTube: CLICK HERE International Print Day: CLICK HEREPrint Across America: CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Connie Lui. She is a Partner, Creative Director, and Designer from Yummy Colours out of New York.  I saw an Instagram post that Yummy Colours shared featuring their most recent Concept of the Year print piece, Dear Future. Turns out it was their third year in a row producing the Contept of the Year projects. And we get to hear stories about how all three projects were brought to life.  From the first Issue and why they decided to bring it to life, the second issue and stories of incredible collaboration at scale, to the most recent issue and how the multi-layer unique effects came to life! Another gem of an episode for the designers and print lovers out there. Check out all the links below!!   Concept of the Year Images: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Website: CLICK HEREYummy Colours Instagram: CLICK HERE FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE

A rare solo episode with Dave Hopkins, Founder of Print Design Academy and host of the Print Design Podcast. They say we are in a recession and it is going to get worse...so what can you do so that it sucks less? After seeing what happened in the design and print worlds during Covid, I have put together 3 things I think ALL Graphic Designers should do to prepare for any sort of economic uncertainty. FREE DOWNLOAD HERE - Print Ready Files Checklist Learn Print Design on YouTube HERE

This episode features us, Dave and Gabby, breaking down the Print Design Summit.  We share our expectations, actual results, our wins, our fails, lessons learned, how we feel it went, and answer the big question...will there be a Print Design Summit in 2024? FREE Guide to Craft Beer Label Design: Download it here FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Learn Print Design on YouTube: Watch HERE

This week's guest is Jonny Black from TOOOT. Also known as The Office of Ordinary Things out of San Francisco California.  This episode is literally years in the making. So you better like it. Kidding, I know you will.  During this episode, we are doing a deep dive into the D+K Printing promotional project. This project is an experience. It's got great print, textures, and tear strips to please your need to play with things.  We also talk about Apple Packaging, Sustainability, and Granola Packaging project from Jonny's early design days.  This is a fun one! TOOOT on IG: HERETOOOT Website: HERE FREE Craft Beer Label Design Guide: Get it HERE. FREE Print Ready Files Checklist: Download here Print Design Academy on YouTube: HERE  

This week's guest is Mackenzie Brookshire. She is the Creative Director from Landscape out of Oakland, CA. @thisislandscape During this episode, we talk about drawing sunshines, Koolaid points, Cereal Packaging, and more! Our deep dive is into a project she worked on for Cookma, a meal delivery service and product line for growing families. The print and packaging they created is bright, welcoming, and just makes you feel good when you see it. Really enjoyed this conversation with Mackenzie and I know you will too.  THE LINKS: Landscape WebsiteLandscape InstagramCookma - Design WorkDOG - A project space Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HERE Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Dan Gretta. He is a designer and illustrator who has been putting out incredibly detailed work for Cigar Bands, Cigar Packaging, high-end spirits, and more. During this episode we are doing a deep dive into his work for Dapper Cigars which includes cigar bands, packaging, and cigar branding. I dabble in the Cigar world and I have always loved the intricate designs of the printed cigar bands and all cigar packaging. It really enhances the whole Cigar experience. So I was so excited to connect with Dan and learn more about this Cigar packaging world, and bring that information to you! Dan is a great guy to talk to and I know you will enjoy this chat! Oh, we also talk about X-Men action figures. @dangrettadesign THE LINKS: Dan Gretta Design WebsiteDan Gretta Design InstagramDapper Cigar Design Work El BorrachoDapper Cigar Design Work Union Break Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HERE Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Gene Portnoy. He is the talented creative behind Work and Company. @genepdesign @workandcompany We did things a little bit differently on this episode. It's a couple of mini conversations put into one. When we first spoke, the project we were talking about was literally at the printers. Like "photos sent of the press sheet that morning" at the printers. A few weeks later we were able to connect for a wrap-up conversation once he had received his samples and his client had some feedback. Awesome! The deep dive for this episode is all about the Full Bloom Cannabis packaging project. We talk about the details and story that went into the packaging, the design system created across multiple pieces, as well as the details behind getting things ready for production. Gene is a very talented designer and creative problem solver and makes for a great conversation. I know you'll dig this one. THE LINKS: Work and Company WebsiteGene Portnoy InstagramWork and Company Instagram Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HERE Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files Checklist Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Julie Brannen, she is the Director of Sustainability at Monadnock Paper out of New Hampshire. Monadnock is all about Sustainability in the manufacturing of their uncoated papers. @monadnock_paper They also just released a new swatch book for their Astrolite PC 100 papers. Which you guessed...are 100% Post Consumer recycled. During this episode, we also talk about Julie's unique path to the Paper and print world. She shares some interesting stuff on Gatorade Marketing Printed Collateral, working with global shoe brands, and the story of the Monadnock paper mill. If you are into paper, this episode is for you. If you aren't into paper, you really should be, and this episode is still for you. THE LINKS: Monadnock Paper WebsiteMonadnock Paper Astrolite PC 100Monadnock Instagram Print Design Summit - Get Front of the Line HEREPrint Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guests are Ron and Mackenzie from Macaroni Creative. This is their second time on the show chatting about awesome packaging they had created and put out in the world. During this interview, we talk about Hot Dogs and Sausages. But also Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) packaging. Our deep dive is all about the Millers Craft Meats rebrand. This covers logos, collateral, packaging, and more. But we are here to chat about the packaging and how they made it all work on different substrates and different products. This was a great conversation from some absolute pros in the CPG and beyond design space. @macaroni_creative THE LINKS: Macaroni Creative WebsiteMillers Craft Meats ProjectMacaroni Instagram Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files Checklist Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This weeks guest is Sam O'Brien. He is a Graphic Designer and owner of Sample Co. out of Austin Texas. @sample_co During this interview, we talk about how he got into the design game, awesome FOSSIL Watch Packaging, and a book put out by Lyft for their Scooter rental service teaching you proper Scootiquette. Our deep dive is into a brand book he created for Criquet, an awesome apparel company with an amazing personality that totally comes through in this print piece. The book is a guide to living comfortably off the course. As soon as I saw it on Instagram I had to reach out and get him on the show to share the story. THE LINKS: Sample Co Website
Criquet Print Project
Sample Co Instagram Print Design Academy YouTube
Print Design Academy Instagram
FREE Print Ready Files Checklist

Print Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This weeks guest is Paul Haggerty. He is a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Art Director out of Pittsburg PA. @paul_haggerty During this episode, we talk about some of the projects he has come across and worked on over is 10+ year design career. Packaging and Merch. Dicks Sporting Goods. Album Artwork. and more.. But our project deep dive is for the Smokers Section Journal. This amazing piece was created to document your cannabis journey through different strains and smoking methods. It was Riso printed by the amazing crew over at @risolve Riso printing was the perfect way to produce this one. This was a great conversation that I know you will enjoy! THE LINKS: Paul Haggerty WebsitePaul Haggerty InstagramSmokers Section WebsiteSmokers Section InstagramRisolve Studio Website Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files ChecklistPrint Design Mastery - Learn to be an expert at print design - CLICK HERE

This week's guest is Jake Hoffman. He is the Direct of Sales and Marketing at Arandell Corporation and the host of the Millennials in Print Podcast. Arandell is a 100-year-old printer producing award-winning work out of Wisconsin. @arandell_corporation During this episode, Jake and I talk about the current print environment and what we see happening in the print design industry. We also talk about the story behind the Millennials in Print Podcast and how we both believe it's incredibly important to bring young talent into this craft of printing. THE LINKS: Millennials in Print PodcastArandell Corporation Website. Arandell Instagram Learn Print Design for Free:Print Design Academy YouTubePrint Design Academy InstagramFREE Print Ready Files Checklist Print Design Mastery Membership - Learn to be an expert at Print Design. CLICK HERE to learn more.